PROJECT NEXT GEN
At Smokin’ Bean we know our producers. We understand the risks and challenges faced by coffee farmers and we want to help them overcome these challenges and provide support right where it is needed. That’s why we are proud to launch Project Next Gen: a unique initiative designed to inspire young people – the next generation of coffee farmers.
What is the challenge for coffee farming communities?
The average age of coffee farmers is increasing, yet it’s becoming more common for the next generation to leave the family farm in search of different career paths. What does this mean for the future of coffee? It’s clear that for coffee to support communities for generations to come, we must engage young people, and offer a promising future.
The demand for coffee is growing and showing no signs of slowing down. With this comes many more opportunities for the ambitious young farmer. We want to motivate young people to choose coffee and to show them that it can provide a stable and profitable future.
![IMG_1223](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2019/02/IMG_1223.jpg)
What do young people say prevents them from working in the coffee business?
Hard physical work
Undignified working conditions
Low salary
Inadequate education offer
Few options for welfare
Unequal distribution of land
Source: Investing in Youth in Coffee Growing Communities, A Review of Current Programs and Practices in Latin America, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, SAFE & Sustainable Food Lab (2018)
What will project next gen do to address this?
![boy roasting coffee boy sample roasting coffee](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2020/09/boy-roasting-coffee.jpg)
We know that young people are the key agents of change. That’s why our Project Next Gen programme aims to inspire and engage young people from coffee-growing communities at the Ubiriki cooperative in Peru.
In this project we will:
Invest in equipment and training for young people
- 24 young adults will be selected
- At least 50% female representation
- Either co-operative members or children of members and technicians
Enable the improvement of coffee quality
- Hire three external professionals
- Training on wet coffee processing
- Speciality coffee cupping
- How to increase quality
Ongoing learning and development
- Transfer learning to 180 co-operative members through field schools
- Five participants selected to become Q-graders, and hired in the quality control team
What do we hope to achieve?
Clear procedures for processing methods
Increase in average SCAA cupping scores
Increased market access for the co-operative
Young people are more engaged in coffee
Collaborative learning across the co-operative
Strengthen the organisation for the future
Meet the participants
![Elizabeth Zevallos Carrasco Elizabeth Zevallos Carrasco](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Elizabeth-Zevallos-Carrasco.jpg)
Elizabeth Zevallos Carrasco
Age: 22
Occupation: Business Administration Student
![Edwin David Matute Muñoz Edwin David Matute Muñoz](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Edwin-David-Matute-Munoz.jpg)
Edwin David Matute Muñoz
Age: 32
Occupation: Farmer
![Erselia Cahuana Taipe Erselia Cahuana Taipe](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Erselia-Cahuana-Taipe.jpg)
Erselia Cahuana Taipe
Age: 22
Occupation: Agricultural Technician
![Jhonny Ivan Maldonado Ricci Jhonny Ivan Maldonado Ricci](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Jhonny-Ivan-Maldonado-Ricci.jpg)
Jhonny Ivan Maldonado Ricci
Age: 25
Occupation: Environmental Career Student
![Olga Amalia Huayta Mezares Olga Amalia Huayta Mezares](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Olga-Amalia-Huayta-Mezares.jpg)
Olga Amalia Huayta Mezares
Age: 25
Occupation: Farmer
![Percy Jherly Ortiz Arzapalo Percy Jherly Ortiz Arzapalo](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Percy-Jherly-Ortiz-Arzapalo.jpg)
Percy Jherly Ortiz Arzapalo
Age: 21
Occupation: Environmental Career Student
![Rinaldo Efrain Rojas Apolinario Rinaldo Efrain Rojas Apolinario](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Rinaldo-Efrain-Rojas-Apolinario.jpg)
Rinaldo Efrain Rojas Apolinario
Age: 18
Occupation: Preparatory
![Sebastian Fabian Guizado Marcelo Sebastian Fabian Guizado Marcelo](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Sebastian-Fabian-Guizado-Marcelo.jpg)
Sebastian Fabian Guizado Marcelo
Age: 21
Occupation: Environmental Career Student
![Tadeo Cristhian Soto Armas Tadeo Cristhian Soto Armas](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Tadeo-Cristhian-Soto-Armas.jpg)
Tadeo Cristhian Soto Armas
Age: 34
Occupation: Industrial Engineer
![Wilmer Veliz Pastrana Wilmer Veliz Pastrana](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Wilmer-Veliz-Pastrana.jpg)
Wilmer Veliz Pastrana
Age: 26
Occupation: Mechanical Engineering Student
![Talavera Mayta Harold Hugo Talavera Mayta Harold Hugo](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Talavera-Mayta-Harold-Hugo.jpg)
Talavera Mayta Harold Hugo
Age: 24
Occupation: Farmer / Mechanic Technician
![Yeny Margot Rivas Huaman Yeny Margot Rivas Huaman](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Yeny-Margot-Rivas-Huaman.jpg)
Yeny Margot Rivas Huaman
Age: 30
Occupation: Farmer
![César Miguel Castillo Torpoco César Miguel Castillo Torpoco](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Cesar-Miguel-Castillo-Torpoco.jpg)
César Miguel Castillo Torpoco
Age: 32
Occupation: Farmer / Student of Agronomy
![Franco Camargo Nuñez Franco Camargo Nuñez](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Franco-Camargo-Nunez.jpg)
Franco Camargo Nuñez
Age: 26
Occupation: Farmer / Heavy Machinery Technician
![Moises Huayana Ceras Moises Huayana Ceras](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Moises-Huayana-Ceras.jpg)
Moises Huayana Ceras
Age: 17
Occupation: Agronomy Student
![Kenyo Camarena Malpartida Kenyo Camarena Malpartida](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Kenyo-Camarena-Malpartida.jpg)
Kenyo Camarena Malpartida
Age: 23
Occupation: Farmer – Graduate of Computing and Information
![Miriam Anais Ramos Ibañez](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Miriam-Anais-Ramos-Ibanez.jpg)
Miriam Anais Ramos Ibañez
Age: 28
Occupation: Agroindustrial Engineer
![Lourdes Córdova Moya Lourdes Córdova Moya](https://smokinbean.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/07/Lourdes-Cordova-Moya.jpg)
Lourdes Córdova Moya
Teacher of the Quality Control and Taceo course of Specialty Coffees